- The Business Manager will support the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in driving the firm's strategic agenda, enhancing executive effectiveness, and ensuring the effective coordination and execution of key business priorities.
- The role will translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, monitor business performance, coordinate cross functional initiatives, and provide timely, high-quality management information to support informed decision-making.
- Acting as a key link between the CEO and senior management, the Business Manager will promote organisational alignment, accountability, and timely implementation of agreed actions.
- The role will also support strategic projects, business growth opportunities, regional expansion, and operational improvement initiatives that contribute to the firm's competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Strategic Planning and Execution:
- Support the development, refinement, and communication of the firm's strategic priorities, annual business plans, and performance objectives.
- Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with defined milestones, deliverables, performance indicators, and accountability structures.
- Monitor the implementation of strategic initiatives, identify execution gaps and emerging risks, and recommend corrective actions.
- Prepare strategic progress reports and facilitate management reviews to assess performance against agreed objectives.
Board and Corporate Governance Support:
- Coordination, preparation and submission of Board papers, executive presentations, briefing notes, and supporting documentation.
- Support the CEO in preparing for Board meetings, committee meetings, and strategic planning sessions.
- Maintain records of key decisions, resolutions, and agreed actions, and ensure their implementation.
- Liaise with the Company Secretary and relevant governance personnel to ensure effective coordination, confidentiality, and adherence to established governance arrangements.
Management Information and Business Performance:
- Develop and maintain management reports, dashboards, and performance tracking tools for the CEO and senior management.
- Consolidate and analyse financial and operational information, including profitability, assets under management, business growth, budgets, client activity, and other relevant performance indicators.
- Identify performance trends, budget variances, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborate with Finance, Investment Advisory, Operations, Risk, Compliance, and other functions to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- Conduct financial analysis and scenario modelling to assess the commercial and operational implications of management decisions.
Executive Office Coordination:
- Coordinate the CEO's calendar, meetings, engagements, and business commitments in line with strategic priorities.
- Prepare agendas, briefing notes, presentations, and other materials required for executive engagements.
- Maintain an effective system for tracking decisions, deadlines, deliverables, and outstanding actions.
- Facilitate information flow to and from the CEO's office, ensuring that critical matters are prioritized, addressed, and escalated appropriately.
- Coordinate executive meetings, strategy workshops, and other corporate activities while maintaining appropriate records and confidentiality.
Cross-Functional Coordination and Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as a coordination point between the CEO and senior management across Investments, Finance, Operations, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Technology, Client Coverage, and other functions.
- Facilitate collaboration and alignment on corporate priorities, management decisions, and strategic initiatives.
- Monitor interdepartmental dependencies, follow up on commitments, and escalate delays or implementation challenges.
- Promote accountability, timely communication, and effective resolution of issues while respecting established reporting lines and functional responsibilities.
Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives:
- Provide analytical and project management support for CEO-sponsored initiatives and strategic assignments.
- Conduct research, financial assessments, business analysis, and scenario modelling to support commercial decisions.
- Coordinate project plans, budgets, timelines, deliverables, and progress reporting.
- Support business improvement, operational efficiency, client experience enhancement, product development, distribution expansion, and other growth opportunities.
- Prepare executive-level recommendations and decision papers outlining available options, risks, implications, and proposed actions.
Risk Management and Professional Standards:
- Maintain awareness of the regulatory, fiduciary, conduct, and reputational risks relevant to the wealth management business.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, governance arrangements, confidentiality requirements, and applicable regulatory obligations.
- Escalate material risks, governance concerns, and execution challenges to the CEO.
- Work with Risk, Compliance, Legal, and other control functions on initiatives with relevant risk or regulatory implications.
- Uphold high standards of integrity, discretion, accuracy, and professionalism.
Academic Qualifications and Work Experience:
- A bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, Investment Management, or a related discipline.
- A postgraduate qualification or Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI) professional certification is an advantage.
- Approximately 7 - 10 years of relevant professional experience in financial services, corporate strategy, management consulting, business management, financial analysis, or a related field.
- Experience supporting senior executives, coordinating strategic initiatives, monitoring business performance, and managing cross-functional priorities.
- Strong exposure to fund management, wealth management, investment banking, or another regulated financial services environment.
- Demonstrated experience preparing executive reports, Board materials, business plans, management presentations, and analytical papers.
- Experience in project management, budgeting, strategic analysis, governance processes, or business development, with regional expansion exposure being an advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Strategic and analytical capability - Strong business acumen, commercial judgement, critical thinking, research, problem-solving, and the ability to translate financial and operational data into actionable insights.
- Execution and project management - Excellent planning, organization, prioritization, coordination, performance monitoring, and follow-through, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and deliver quality results under pressure.
- Communication and stakeholder management - Strong written and verbal communication, executive report-writing, presentation, relationship management, and influencing skills, including the ability to challenge constructively and secure cooperation without relying solely on formal authority.
- Technical and digital skills - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, financial analysis, budgeting, business planning, and performance measurement.
- Familiarity with business intelligence, data visualization, and management reporting tools is an advantage.
- Personal attributes - High integrity, discretion, attention to detail, initiative, accountability, emotional intelligence, professional maturity, adaptability, resilience, and the ability to operate independently while maintaining a strategic, organization-wide perspective.